A/43/PV.36 General Assembly

The Assembly will nOt1 take a decision on draft resolution W43/L.l4. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania .. Mgeria, Argentina, Australia, Austr ia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, aurundl, Byelorussian Soviet SOcialist Republic, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chinm, Colombia, Congo, Cub.a, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, German Democratic Republic t Ghana, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, P&~istan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, seychelles, Spain, Sudan, Swazilana, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Ukrainian SOviet SOcialist Republic, Union of SOviet SOcialist RepubliCL, united Arab Emirates, United RepUblic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Ram, Yugoslavia, Zambia, zimbabwe Agllinst: Israel, United States of America Abstaining : Antigua and Barb~da, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Central African Republic, Chad, Costa Rica, Coba d'Ivoire, Dominica, I)gminican Rep'ablic, Egypt, El Salvador, Equator ial Guinea, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Jamaicll, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, ltt3rocco, Netherlands, Niger, oman, portugal, Rwanda, saint Kitts and Nevis, saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, senegal, sierra Leone, SOmalia, Sri Lanka, ~go, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdo. of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Yemen, zaire Draft resolution Al43/L.l4 was adopted by 89 votGS to 2,with 48 abstentions (resolution 43/11).* .

I now call on those representatives who wish to explain their votes. *Subsequently the delegation of 'Ghana advised the secretariat that it had intenCied to vote in favour. Hr. VAN WULFF'l'EN PALTHE (Nether lands) : I have asked to speak in' order t:o explain briefly the reasons why the Netherlands decided to abstain on the resolution just adopted. In the Netherlands' view, respect for the rule of lay in internati9nal relations and in the peaceful settlttment of disputes is of paramount importance, and the International Court of Justice is the principal body of the United Nations for upholding this principle. Therefore the Kingdom of the Netherlands has recognized the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court, without any reservations. Unfortunately only a few States have done so, while in our view all Member States should accept such compulsory jurisdiction. In the psst the Nether lands has always \'oted in favour of the resolution on this subject because it conaiders that decisions of the International Court of Justice should be complied with. However, a draft resolution that calls for conapliance with a Judgmant of the International Court of Justice is incomplete without a paragraph calling on States to recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court. It is somewhat ironical that most of the Qomtries that supported the resolution just adopted do not recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court and show no intention of doing so. MoreO'l7er, in our view the support of these States for this resolution seems to be based not on a genuine desire to enhance respect for t.ite Court, but rather on a desire to meet short-term political objectives. It would be highly regr.ettable if the International Court of Justil~ were thus to be abused for political motives. We continue to have serious reservations about the yearly recurrence of such a resolution. The resolution, furthermore, does not in any way add new elements to the existing situation arad in no way eontr ibutes to current peace initiatives in Central America. Por all these reasons the Nether lands abets ined on the resolution just adopted.. Mr. TE~ (Canada): Just as we did at the forty-second session of this Ass.lllbly, Canada voted in support of the resolution on the International Court of Justice case on Nicaragua. In so doing we wish to emphasize our belie~ in the importance of all States refrainin~ from int~rfering in the internal affairs of others. we remain well aware of the complexities of the questions that were before the Cou~t in this case and note that there were dissenting judgements. In voting for the resolution, Canada is once more registering its full support for the Court as the highest judicial body in the United Nations system. We also urge the parties to act within the spirit of the Court's decision and to seek a peaceful solution to the matters in dispute. We add the hope, in the interest of efficiency, that this item will not in future be routine' . inscribed on our agenda. Mr. VILIAGRAH DE LEON (Guatemala) (interpretaticn from Spanish): The delegation of Guatemala offers its deepest aympathy to the people and Government of Nicaragua at the loss of life and material damage caused in the last few days by the hurricane in Central America. In principle, Guatemal~ firmly believes in compliance with international treaties, the findings and jUdgments of the'International Court of Justice and the decisions of arbitration tribunals. Guatemala recognizes that in same exceptional situations it may be difficult or COIIlplicatec1 for co'untries to comply with or carry out the rulings of international tribunals. In such cases, it is incumbent upon the parties to deterllinl! or find ways and means of complying, and, if they are unable to do so, to have recourse to the mechanisms established by international law. Nicaragua and Honduras, for example, with the agreement of the other Central Aa.dean countries, disoossed the revision of an international decision that settled a territorial dispute, and when it became clear that the revision was not going forw~rd they coNPlied with the original ruling. Other Latin American countries bave faced difficulties in CQlplylng vlth International rUlings and decisions. It should be noted, however:, that the goodwill of the parti.s made It possible to cverco_ thosa difficulties. The aelegation of Guatemala believes it imPQrtmnt to urge th~ countries directly Interested in a probll!ll1I of this kind to explore the best way of COIIplylng with the ruling of the International Court of Justice, with the assistance of the secretary-General. For this reason, in accordance vi th the instructions of our Gov.r~nt, ve abstained in the voting on draft resolution A/431L.l4. Bad it not been for the heavy agenda with which the President of the Assembly, the Foreign Minister of Argentina, Hr 0 Dante Caputo, had to deal, we might have felt that he could play a useful role in bringing the parties together, especially in view of his knowledge and capable handling of similar situstions with which his country has been involved in recent years. wa just mention it for what it is worth. !he PRESIDBNT (interpretation frQ!l Spanish) II we have concluded our consideration of agenda i tell 33• AGBHDA ITBM 26 OO-oPBRATION BB'lWBBN TOB UtUTBD NATIONS MD TB ORGMIZATION OF Al'RICAN UNITY (a) DIORT OF TIB SSQURARY-GBNBRAL (A/43/497 and Md.l) Cb) DRAPT REOWTIOH (A/43/L.l and Corr. 1 and 2) Tbe PRESIDENT (interpretation fro. Splllniah): I call on the representative of the United aopublic of Tanzania, who "Ul introaJce draft resolution A/43/L.l and Corr.l and 2. Mr. QlAGULA (United Republic of Tanzania): CO-Operation between the United Nation. and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) bas ncv beCOIIe a per_nent agenda iteM at all regular .eslllon& of the United Nation. General A8.e~ly and this co~peration bas greatly benefited both Organizationa, particularly aa Afr iea attaches great iMpOrtance to tbe purpostts and principle. of the united Nations and all llelllber State8 of the OAU are COIlIIlt\.\..d to the Charter of the United Nations as an instrument for ..lnte!ning international psace and security and for p=~moting the econcaic and social dev~lopment of States. Thus, it 18 not by accident that the two organi~ations over the la8t nearly three decades have continued to collaborate very close~y in trying to solve such diver•• prebl••• a8 the refugee probleJl and various ••rgency situations in Africa, the 4ecolonization and 2partheid proble.. in southern Africa and elsewhere in the region, including Na.ibia, the preble. of d.v.l~nt in general an~, ~.t ... ~ recently, that of tbe ecc~ic recovery and devel~nt proce•• aB a re.ult of the cu~rent critical economic situation in Africa. Tbe.e are only 110_ of tbe areas of co-operation between the OAU and the United Nation8 and, needless to saY6 tbe list is continually changing every year a. 3 reflection of the evolving nature of the developllent needs and aspiration8 of the _libel' States of the region as _11 a8 their perception of their role in an interdependent COIIllmity of nations. Of special illportance in this regard at this point in tirae ie the illPlnentation of the united Nations Prcgra_ of Action for Afdcan BconCllic Recovery and Developllent 1986-1990, about which the Pre8ident of Mali and current Chairllan of the OAD and various heads of delegations have already _de statements during the current 8es8ion of the A8sellbl1'. It is on this collabexation that the report of the United Nations secretary-General (A/43/497 and Add.i) is based· and delegation8 can 8ee very clearly in this report the various areas of collaboration between the OAU and the united Nations systell as a whole, on which it is unnecessary for .. to enlarge or co_nt. It is against this background that, on behalf of the African Group, I have ..ch pleasure in introducing to the Assembly draft re8olution A!1£3/L.l and Carr.l and 2, entitled, ·CO-OP0ration between the United Nations and the Organization of African unity III • The draft resolution before the Assembly is JIOre or less similar to the draft resolutions adopted at previous sessions, and under it the General Assellbly, inter alia, first, IJIReaffirll8 that the illPleantation ef the United Nations Progra_ of Action for African Economic RecOl1ery and ~evelopment 1986->1990 is the responsibility of. the international a>_unity as a whole and co..nds the efforts undertaken by African countries in spite of the effects of the advuse in~ernational ea>nomic environnentJ- ••conCI, -Cal1a upon the Secretary-Genera1 of the United Nations to continue to naure closer co-operation and co-ordination with ~e secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity in the illp1eMntation and IIOnitoring of the Unlted Nations Progr..-e of Action for African Econo_ic RecO'Y'ery ar.d oevelOplllent 1986-1990 as ve11 as in the search for solutions to Africa's debt and debt-servicing burden, taking into account Af~ica's COMMOn position on its external debt, adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the organization of African Unity at their extraordinary sumait held in Addis Ababa in Nove~.r and December 1987, and within the terlls of the Medium-term Review of the Progl'amae of Action, to consult the Or9anizatio~ of African Uni~ with a viev to establishing a group of experts to undertake an in-depth •••ea...nt of the question of coanodities of interest to Africa and the scope for export diversification;- third, -Requests all Me~er States, United Nations bodies, the spacia1ized agenciea and all other relevant organs of the united Nations, as well as non-gover~ntal organizations, to activate and increase their programme of aasistance to African subregiona1 organizationas for drought and ~s.rtification control such as the Permanent Inter-State Cc.llittee on Drought / . .. Control in the Sahel and the Intergovernmental Author!ty for Drought and Deve10~ntJ• (Mr. Chagula, United Republic of Tanl!anla) fourth, -aeiterates its appreciation to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his efforts, on behalf of the international coJllJftunity, to organize and IIObilizl! special progral1llles of economic assistance for those African states facing grave economic difficulties, the front-line States and other independent States of southern Africa to help them to withstand the effects of the acts of aggression and destabilization committed by the apartheid regime of South Africa Jfifth, -EXpresses its appreciation to the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinato~, the World Pood Programme, the FOod and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the world Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Pund, the United Nation9. High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research for the assistance so far rendered to the African States in dealing with the emergency situation as well as with the critical economic problems that exist on the African contin@nt;- sixth, -Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to strengthen co-operation at the political, economic~ cultural and administrative levels between the United Nations and the Organization of African unity in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, particularly with regard to the provision of assistance to the victias of colonialism and apartheid in southern Africa;s (Mr. Chagula, united Republic of Tanzania) seventh, -urges the internation81 community to contribute generously to the Assistance Fund for the Struggle against Colonialism and Apartheid est~blished ~ the Organization of African Unity and to the Action for Resisting Invasion, COlonialiSJll and Apartheid Fund, established by the Movement of Non-Aligned Countri.es Jeighth, -Calls upon the United Nations organs - in particular the Security Council, tbe Economic and SOcial Council, the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, tbeSpecial Committee against Apartheid and the United Nations Council for Namibis - to continue to associate the Organization of AfricGn Unity closely with all their ~ctivities concerning Africa;- and finally: -Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to invite the representative of the Secretary-General of the Or9ani~ation of African Unity to participate in the meetings of the United Nations Steering Committee and its Inter-Agency Task Force snd working grou~ on the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990.- (Mr. Chagula, United Republic of TanzanIa) Having pointed out the salient features of the draft resolution for consideration by this Assembly, and in view of the wide consultations we have held with other regional groups on the draft resolution - indeed, we have twice had to postpone consideration of this item - it is our sincere .hope that the General Assembly will adopt it by acclaJlli!lHon. Mr. ZEPOS (Greece): I have the honour to speak 00 behalf of the European COIInumity and its 12 member states. The Twelve are pleased to speak alce again in the debate on co-operation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). It is an opportunity for us to reaffirm the importance which we attach to the relationship between the two Organizations. Co-operative efforts bring about positive results. The close historical, cultural and geographical links between European c~untries and Africa give that continent a special place in our considerations. OUr own long practical experience of regionsl co-operation makes us realize the very great benefits it can bring, and therefore we wish to encourage it. The Twelve believe that the way in which African countries are working together deserves the full support of the United Nations. We are pleased to note that the links between the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations have intensified over the years in all fiel~3, as demonstrated in the secretary-GeneralCs report. The '!'Welve are convinced that an important role is reserved for the Organiza.~ionof African unity in consolidating the national independence of its %lellbers, both politically and eoonomically, partiCUlarly in today's more positive international climate. Where there are conflicts, we believe that the countries MOat directly concerned should be encouraged to find solutions. This appljes (Hr. zepos, Greece) whether the problem is political, economic, social or environmental. African problems are best settled through African solutions~ We are pleased to note the uctive work of the Organization of African Unity in a number of difficult areas. we particularly welcome the clos~ co-operation between the secretary-General of the united Nations and the current Chairman of the Otganization of African Unity in seeking peacefUl solutions to African problems, notably the problem of Western Sahara. Indeed, the Organization of African Unity has an important role to play in ensuring that the peoples of Africa are able to determine their own future freely and without outside interference. Africa is endowed with vast potential resources, and yet it contains more than half the wnrld's economically least developed countries. The TWelve wish to co-operate as much as possible with all African countries and to assist in finding solutions to their present economic and social problems. In recent years the European Community and its 12 member States have contributed over 50 per cent of the total aid received by African countries. The European Community played an active role in the recent successfully concluded Mid~term Review of the Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990. In order to solve their particular difficulties, African countries need additional resources. We stand by our commitment to participate in the efforts to provide these resources. The major contribution of the European Community and its member States is evidence of their commitment to the objectives of the United Natiohs programme of Actiono The TWelve regard their commitment to Africa in all these different areas as a way of safeguarding the stability of the continent and broad~ning our co-operation both with African Governments themselves and with regional organizations and the Organization of African unity. (Mr. zepos, Greece) We are convinced that the OAU will continue to play a significl!nt role in African anc1 world affairs, consistent with the principles guiding the Unite' Nations and in pursuit of the goals of thst Organiutlon. We are confident that the close ties of fr iendship and co-operation which exist between the Twelve and all lIellbers of the Organization of African Unity will be even further strengthened in all fields in the years ahead. The PRBSID!'.NT (interpretation from Spanish): The Assembly will now take a decision Oft::.•aft resolution A/43/L.l and Corr.l and 2. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, German Democratic Republic, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hondu'ras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao ~me and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and TObago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, zambia, zimbabwe Against: Un Hed Sta tes of Amer ica Draft resolution A/43/L.l and Corr.l'and 2 was'adopted'bi l40'votes to'l (resolution 43/12). *

I call on the representative of the United States, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote. Mr. NELSON (United States of America): Much of the success of the international debt strategy is due to the work of the International Monetary Fund and the WOrld Bank. Multilateral consideration of the issue of the debt' of less developed countries is best confined to legally and technically competent * Subsequently the delegation of Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea advised the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour. institutions: that is, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and their relevant co_ittees. ~ are concerned that this res~ution, by inviting United Nmtiona partici~tion, will underiline the strong and effective steps tHen so far, with proved sueces~, to address the debt problem on a case-by-case baais. Hr. CBAGUI.A (Unl~ aepublic of Tanzania): The draft resolution en co-o~raticn between the Organization of African Unity (OM) and the United NaUons has traditionally been adop~,d by the ~n.ral Assobly without a vote. Therefore it is a 1lIatter of regret and grave concern that for a reason that ie not 6ubstarotive i:he delegation of the United States has this time found it necessary to vote against the draft r~80lution as a whole, alth'iugh we held very wide consultations and twice delayed consideratien of this draft resolution bf the Aasellbly. On behalf of the African Group, I wish to express aur deep dlaappoifitHnt in thic regud, and I should like this state_nt to be reflected in the record. of t.~e Asl!esbly. The PRlSIDBNT Unblrpretation frOll Spanish): The Assembly will take note of the auteHot by the representative of the United Republic of Tanzanie 5 That concludes our consideration of agenda item 265 EXPRESSION or S'mMTBY m 'I'D Q)VERtIIBN'l'S AND PBOPLBS OF CEN'l'RAL MERlCA The ~RSIDBNT (interpretation from Spanish): On behalf of the _Ilbers of tile rua••JIbly and on ay own behalf, I mould like to extend to the Govern_nt. and paople. of the Central ~rican countries recently struck by a disastrous hurricane our deepest sygpathy at this _jar disuter, which hall caused tragic 10.15 of life and extenlllve uterial 48_ge. The eft.cte of the hurricene were particularly serious in Nicaragua. (The President) May I also express the hope that the intern&tional co..unity will demonstrate ita solidarity by responding proJlPtly anc! generously to any request fro. thoue countries in Central America for assistance in their present plight brought about by this new natural disaster. ORGANIZATION OF WORK

First, I have to announce that at the request of the Chairman of the African Group of States, agenda itell 36, -Policies of Apartheid of the Government of SOuth Africa-, will be the first item taken up at tomorrow afternoan's meeting. Secondly, I have received a request frOll the Chairlllln of the Group of Arab States that the question of the uprising in occupied Arab territories be considered, at a meeting of the General AsseMbly, under ag~nda itelll 77, -Report of the Special CClllJlitble to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the .Hullan RiC;hts of the Population of the OCcupied ~rritories·. The letter containing that request will be issued as a General Assembly document tollOrrov IIOrnlng. It is lIy intention that thie request be considered by the Asse1llbly during tOllOrrow afternoon's Meting, after the consideration of agenda item 15. The meeting rose at 5 p.II.